United Kingdom · South-East & East · Suffolk
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UK Local prison operated by HM Prison & Probation Service. Listed in the GOV.UK Find a prison directory.
Capacity
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Current population
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Occupancy
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Year opened
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Operational
Figures from official sources · verified 7 Jul 2026 · methodology
Operator
HM Prison & Probation ServicePopulation held
male
Opened
—
Region
South-East & East
Security level
Medium
Death-row facility
No
Relationships between staff and prisoners were very good and we saw a level housed four prisoners and leaders had not done enough to understand and was told there were plans to develop it into something like the excellent facility There was much to like about Warren Hill. There were many experienced staff who took responsibility for maintaining the strong, supportive culture. Drug use and violence were rare and generally prisoners were housed in decent — UK IMB Annual Report (2024) — Safety: 4.1 Reception and induction 4.1.1 HMP Warren Hill continues to receive a low number of new receptions, largely due to its specific entry criteria and the relatively stable nature of its population. As a result, the number of individuals undergoing induction at any given time is small. The IMB is routinely informed of all new arrivals, ensuring external oversight of the process and early [...] Respect: 5.1 Accommodation , clothing, food 5.1.1 Prisoners are housed in single-cell accommodation on all units. The older units have flush toilets in each cell and the IMB is pleased to note that long-running problems with the communal showers on these units have been addressed over the past year. The accommodation for the newer units, housing the therapeutic community and PIPE, provides in-cell [...] Purposeful activity: Education 7.1.1 HMP Warren Hill has a dedicated education block featuring classrooms, IT spaces and a well-stocked library. An HMIP survey of prisoners reported that 41% had reading difficulties and 34% had learning difficulties. 7.1.2 Neurodiverse prisoners are supported through a range of resources, including a special lounge in the PIPE unit, reasonable accommodations in learning activities [...] Preparation for release: 7.3.1 Under a single governance structure, a new head of offender management services was appointed covering the last two months of the reporting period. 7.3.2 The offender management unit (OMU) is vital in ensuring that the most suitable prisoners are accepted for Warren Hill and that they are correctly monitored and provided with the most appropriate courses and training while resident. Prior [...]
trusted prisoners could earn unsupervised family visits. Men had a good level of
Format: Prisoner Name & Number, HMP Warren Hill, HMP Warren Hill Grove Road Hollesley Woodbridge Suffolk IP12 3BF See map Help us to improve this page. Give us your feedback in this 2-minute survey .. Use Send Money to a Prisoner (GOV.UK) for funds — cash not accepted.
Half of the prisoners released from Warren Hill were recalled, perhaps due to released. I was impressed by the small unit that aimed to replicate the expect to be sent in the early months after release. However, this unit only Although prisoners were unlocked for up to 11 hours on weekdays, and there only unlocked for seven hours at the weekends. The education provider had high recall rates.
who took responsibility for maintaining the strong, supportive culture. Drug use and violence were rare and generally prisoners were housed in decent
Derived signal — not a judgement. How it's calculated
What the score is responding to:
This facility scores 13. The national average across 584 scored United Kingdom facilities is 4 — 9 points above national average.
Same country, matched on type + security level where possible.
Warren Hill has a well-established reputation as a safe, decent category C prison for men heading towards the end of long, indeterminate sentences. I am pleased to say that these standards had generally been maintained since we last inspected in 2019. Relationships between staff and prisoners were very good and we saw a level of engagement that we rarely see elsewhere. Prisoners were housed in single cells, communal areas were generally very clean and men really appreciated the opportunities they had to cook for themselves. There were some good facilities such as the coffee shop, the prison shop, a barber and a room in which trusted prisoners could earn unsupervised family visits. Men had a good level of freedom to walk around the jail, although it seemed to vary on different days. Half of the prisoners released from Warren Hill were recalled, perhaps due to the huge gap between the institutionalised experience of men serving long sentences and the freedoms and responsibilities that they take on when released. I was impressed by the small unit that aimed to replicate the experience of being in an approved premises – to which most prisoners can expect to be sent in the early months after release. However, this unit only housed four prisoners and leaders had not done enough to understand and address the reasons why so many men were recalled. The prison needed to do more to reduce this rate. Although prisoners were unlocked for up to 11 hours on weekdays, and there was a good range of activities available, it was disappointing that they were only unlocked for seven hours at the weekends. The education provider had made sure that most activities had qualifications attached. However, there were few links with possible future employers, which may have been a reason for the high recall rates. The opening hours of the library, which was now shut in the evenings and on the weekend, had been changed, but it was unclear why. I was told there were plans to develop it into something like the excellent facility at HMP Bure, but the reality was that there were fewer opportunities for prisoners to take out books. Given that Warren Hill is supposed to replicate aspects of open prisons, there were not enough opportunities for prisoners to earn more and save money for their eventual release. Men were also unable to be released on temporary licence, which would have helped those directly leaving the prison to settle successfully and avoid future recall. There was much to like about Warren Hill. There were many experienced staff who took responsibility for maintaining the strong, supportive culture. Drug use and violence were rare and generally prisoners were housed in decent
5.1 Accommodation , clothing, food 5.1.1 Prisoners are housed in single-cell accommodation on all units. The older units have flush toilets in each cell and the IMB is pleased to note that long-running problems with the communal showers on these units have been addressed over the past year. The accommodation for the newer units, housing the therapeutic community and PIPE, provides in-cell showers. Sycamore unit houses older prisoners and those requiring extra support with health conditions: the IMB considers that this unit would benefit from improved air circulation throughout. 5.1.2 Some prisoners on the older units had complained early in the reporting year that their mattresses were worn out. 50 new mattresses were purchased and are being issued appropriately. There are ongoing problems with windows on Oak and Alder units, some of which cannot be opened or closed properly. Capital bids are submitted annually to replace windows as necessary, but the IMB is aware that some of the windows were welded shut when the prison housed young offenders. 5.1.3 Work on the provision of inundation points, where hoses can be inserted in case of fire, has been undertaken. The IMB is pleased to note that the issue with cells where secondary inundation points were not possible has been resolved by replacing old for new slimline nozzles on those missing units. 5.1.4 Willow unit houses four prisoners and is a welcome step forward for those who have had a successful parole hearing and are [...]
7.3.1 Under a single governance structure, a new head of offender management services was appointed covering the last two months of the reporting period. 7.3.2 The offender management unit (OMU) is vital in ensuring that the most suitable prisoners are accepted for Warren Hill and that they are correctly monitored and provided with the most appropriate courses and training while resident. Prior to any new arrival being approved the individual must have completed all the necessary interventions before arriving, apart from those which are specifically arriving to attend the therapeutic community. To be accepted at the prison, the prisoners should have already completed 21 their sentence plans and the education and training that are offered should be a part of the ongoing plan which they have in place. 7.3.3 OMU staff co-ordinate the enhanced behaviour monitoring (EBM) process at Warren Hill, which is only one of four prisons to provide EBM currently. The progressive regime is made up of three stages of progression with each prisoner having a POM, COM, and a key worker. Reviews to consider stage progression take place regularly and are linked to the EBM case management process. It is built on evidence which demonstrates reducing risk, and OMU work with prisoners to ensure the risks are managed. 7.3.4 The OMU use the offender personality disorder pathway (OPDP): prisoners are screened using a tool within the offender assessment system (OASys) to identify whether they meet the [...]
4.1 Reception and induction 4.1.1 HMP Warren Hill continues to receive a low number of new receptions, largely due to its specific entry criteria and the relatively stable nature of its population. As a result, the number of individuals undergoing induction at any given time is small. The IMB is routinely informed of all new arrivals, ensuring external oversight of the process and early engagement with newcomers. 4.1.2 Under the single governance model, a review of the induction programme is planned, with emphasis on the first night experience to ensure the safety and wellbeing of new arrivals. This will build on existing strengths aligned with the broader transition of responsibilities under the new head of operations, as reception moves from the safety team to operational oversight. 4.1.3 In contrast, HMP Hollesley Bay operates a dedicated induction unit, managed by a custodial manager, which provides a useful point of comparison for developing best practice at Warren Hill. In this regard, the IMB notes that the new governance model is creating opportunities to improve structures and processes that will benefit the prisoners from both sites. Feedback from Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Prisons (HMIP, 2025) highlighted several positive aspects of the reception and induction process at Warren Hill. Inspectors noted that the reception area was welcoming, with new arrivals greeted by a friendly orderly who also served as a trained ‘Listener’ (a prisoner trained by the [...]
Education 7.1.1 HMP Warren Hill has a dedicated education block featuring classrooms, IT spaces and a well-stocked library. An HMIP survey of prisoners reported that 41% had reading difficulties and 34% had learning difficulties. 7.1.2 Neurodiverse prisoners are supported through a range of resources, including a special lounge in the PIPE unit, reasonable accommodations in learning activities and special events such as the recent neurodiversity conference entitled ‘making sense out of senses’. The Board has observed psychological care in the PIPE unit to be nurturing, and includes a well-equipped sensory room for de-escalation and a wide range of activities, varying from gardening and beekeeping to willow weaving. 7.1.3 Crito Project is an innovative and challenging philosophy course provided by the University of East Anglia and currently attended by 15 prisoners seeking to achieve a degree. 7.1.4 Twenty-two prisoners are currently pursuing Open University courses, but the track record for completion of these courses is not particularly good. The establishment of study groups and a dedicated study room are designed to help students complete their courses and motivate one another, but a study skills support mechanism is also needed to prevent drop-out. 7.1.5 The Diploma in Progression is a three-month course, during which prisoners explore topics of relevance such as conflict, assertiveness, and empathy as they prepare for life after release. Participants are encouraged to [...]
Full inspection of HMP Warren Hill (2020-03-19)
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World Prisons. (2026). HMP Warren Hill. Retrieved July 21, 2026, from https://worldprisons.com/prisons/hmp-warren-hill
"HMP Warren Hill." World Prisons. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://worldprisons.com/prisons/hmp-warren-hill.
@misc{worldprisons-hmp-warren-hill,
author = {{World Prisons}},
title = {HMP Warren Hill},
year = {2026},
url = {https://worldprisons.com/prisons/hmp-warren-hill},
urldate = {2026-07-21}
}